Site Problems

Just discovered that Flash Player 10, breaks the font presentation of headers.  Hopefully we’ll have it fixed soon.

Posted: December 11, 2008 | PermaLink

Summary of 2008 Presidential Candidates Arts Positions

ArtsVote.org has just released a sheet summarizing Barak Obama’s and John McCain’s positions on arts education: Summary of 2008 Presidential Candidates Arts Positions

Posted: October 6, 2008 | PermaLink

In memorium: Leo Henning

I just learned today that Leo Henning passed away just over a month ago. Mr. Henning taught for 58 years as band director at Little Flower, Mt. Carmel, Leo, Brother Rice and St. Laurence high schools, as well as several Chicago elementary schools.

Posted: September 23, 2008 | PermaLink

2008-2009 Calendar

It’s still slightly tentative, but the 2008-2009 Band Calendar has been posted.

Posted: July 17, 2008 | PermaLink

Someone You Should Know

UPDATE: Video Posted

Congratulations to our very own Tom O’Brien, Social Studies teacher at McCracken Middle School for the last 49 years (yes, 49 years), for being featured on Harry Porterfield’s segment Someone You Should Know on WLS-TV (ABC) tonight.

The transcript of the feature is on their website. Hopefully they’ll place the video online soon as well. It’s a very well deserved honor and tribute to Mr. O’Brien who has given so much to the children of our district for almost five decades!

Posted: May 29, 2008 | PermaLink

Middleton Talent Show

Many 4th and 5th grade band students performed their instruments at today’s Middleton Elementary School Talent Show.

Congratulations!

Posted: May 23, 2008 | PermaLink

2008 Midwest Clinic Clinicians Announced

The Midwest Clinic just announced the clinicians for the 2008 conference. Once again, Illinois is very well represented by a wide variety of sessions:

Improving Your Clarinet Section, Top to Bottom
J. Lawrie Bloom

A New Approach to Developing Musicianship: Drawing the Common Thread Throughout Your Rehearsal Using the Right Materials and Teaching Strategies

James Curnow, Joseph Manfredo

Preparing Your Ensemble for Expressive Performance
Robert Sheldon

Sound Reinforcement and Recording of Jazz and Large Ensembles - Practical and Easy to Use Basic and Advanced Ideas
Jim Warrick, Scott Bauer, Mark Morette, Scott Steiner

Four Centuries of Masterworks for Brass Ensemble
Gail Williams

and of course:

Beyond Their Years: Tone, Intonation and the Young Band
Chip De Stefano

Also, congratulations to two of Mr. De Stefano’s friends who also had sessions accepted to next year’s Midwest Clinic:

Digital Recording in Rehearsal: Cheap and Simple
Rick Dammers

Fixing the Front Row: Troubleshooting Your Flute Section
Julie Hobbs

Posted: May 22, 2008 | PermaLink

McCracken Band Alum Featured in The Music Trades

This is from last November, but I just discovered it today.  McCracken Middle School Band Alum Mike Balter was the subject of an article entitled “Shaping the Sound of Percussion for 30 Years” in a recent The Music Trades.  It’s a fascinating look not only into Mike’s career but into the mallet making business as well.

Posted: May 22, 2008 | PermaLink

2008 Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award

Quinlan and Fabish recently announced the winners of the 2008 Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award.  Congratulations to these very deserving teachers:

Debbie Darnell – Merrillville Intermediate School (Merrillville, IN)
Jim Deal – Crown Point HS (Crown Point, IN)
Jim Garbrecht – Hawthorn MS South (Vernon Hills)
John Harshey –West Oak MS (Mundelein)
Bryan Miller – East Leyden HS (Franklin Park)
Brayer Teague – Downers Grove North HS (Downers Grove).

Posted: May 22, 2008 | PermaLink

2009 IMEA All-State Band

Congratulations to Mr. Morrison for being invited to guest conduct the 2009 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Band.

The complete list of guest conductors can be found at the IMEA website.

Posted: May 12, 2008 | PermaLink

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